Climbing new heights

Wolverhampton car insurance group Premium Choice has raised more than £2,000, smashing their £500 target, to get a new lightweight wheelchair for Halesowen resident Harrison Slater.

The five-year-old was born premature at 29 weeks and contracted influenza which led to severe brain damage.

He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and global learning delay at nine-months-old and has difficulty with movement and co-ordination.

Fresh from their trip up Snowdon in September where the group raised more than £2,500 for CALM, a men’s suicide prevention charity, 19 intrepid explorers took on England’s biggest mountain, Scafell Pike.

The group took on ‘Operation Scafell Pike’ in Cumbria’s Lake District on Sunday December 9.

Performance manager at the company, and organiser of the charity climbs, Darren Nally, said: “Through all our sponsorship and the barbecue fundraisers we’ve raised just over £2,000 and climbing.

“It was tough, I’m fit but I struggled a bit, it was a long old slug.

“The scenery was beautiful, but it got very cold towards the top, it was minus 12 degrees wind chill at the top, we had five, six or seven layers on each, you could even see the snow but that’s what it’s all about, it was ace.

“It was great to help a local lad.

“Harrison’s granddad, Jason Iles, is good friends with one of our directors, Richard, so this is how it came about.

“It’s great to get the backing of the company, it’s important to raise the money and everyone in the office helped.

“When it comes to kids, everyone can relate to it, it’s tough for Harrison and it appeals to everyone’s hearts and minds to help.”

Jason said: “Yet again family, friends and work colleagues have all contributed without question.

“We are lucky to have friends like Richard and in particular his big hearted fundraiser and his merry followers.

“Harrison is lucky to have us, we can’t thank you enough for this support it is very humbling.”

More money can be donated to the cause by visiting the GoFundMe page and searching for Harrisons lightweight wheelchair.

The group is now planning to take on Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, in 2019 where they will decide on a new cause to raise money for.

Darren added: “More than 20 people are up for this already and the company will part fund this climb, meaning more money can go to charity.

“We’re also looking to help local charities, volunteering at Compton Hospice and things like that.”